Wilhelm: Angels Inc. site on a prominent spot

Jan. 30, 2013

The Angels Inc. building on Bidwell Avenue, at the base of Garrison Street, sits on a prominent spot in the city’s history.

It was a big part of the industrial revolution in Fremont and later was one of the sites of a changing world for the grocery business.

According to The Fremont News-Messenger, F. I. Norton started a plow factory on the site about 1840. Then, in 1853, David June came to Fremont from the Cleveland area to start his own business. A highly successful and well-respected Great Lakes shipping engineer, June started a factory to manufacture and repair steam engines, including marine engines.

The business and building expanded and the newspaper reports that “at the time of the Centennial Exposition, the (Champion) engine was considered so remarkable that Russian engineers came to Fremont to inspect the plant, with a view to erecting one in their country.”

I have more than a passing interest in David June, since he and his wife, had a house built at 514 Birchard Ave., in 1884 and presented it to their daughter Carrie and her husband Martin Holderman as a wedding present.

The beautiful old home served as a family home and then the Jewish temple in Fremont for many years and now houses the Sandusky County Historical Society, which is one of my retirement interests.

Machining

After Mr. June died, his son-in-law Martin Holderman, who was one of the partners, came by June’s shares and bought out the other partners, turning the company into the M. Holderman Machine Company.

In later years, at least some of the plant was used as a machine shop by Mr. June’s nephew, David, and then was sold to the Fremont Stove Co. and then to Arthur Christy. Both companies manufactured stoves. Christy joined with Charles Carter in the outdoor advertising and wooden novelties business. The firm moved and the deserted property was purchased by D.L. Christy.

At any rate, according to the newspaper article dated May 3, 1941, a fire in 1888 burned out the June plants on Bidwell. “When rebuilding was started, the city vacated the lower part of Garrison street and the present building was erected.”

After the demolition in 1941, Mr. Christy had a new structure constructed.

Groceries

Since that time, the portion of the property at the end of Garrison became a leading part of the grocery store evolution in the city.

It housed an A&P store and a Shoprite Grocery before becoming Angels Inc.